Bush Prods Congress on Energy Legislation

AP on Yahoo ^ | 4/16/05 | Deb Reichmann - AP

[NormsRevenge]

WASHINGTON - President Bush prodded Congress on Saturday to pass a long-stalled national energy strategy, saying American families and small businesses are feeling the pinch from rising gasoline prices.

"If you're trying to meet a family budget or a payroll, even a small change at the pump can have a big impact," Bush said in his weekly radio address.

Bush is using concern over the recent spike in fuel prices to pressure lawmakers into passing an energy bill set for a vote next week.

Although the House bill is focused in the long term on diversifying the nation's energy supply and increasing production, it is not likely to provide immediate relief at the pump. According to the Energy Department, prices are expected to remain well above $2 a gallon through the busy summer driving season.

Republicans included two controversial provisions in the House bill: a green light to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska and a shield against product liability lawsuits for makers of the gasoline additive MTBE, which has been linked to groundwater contamination.

Democrats have criticized the measure for failing to deal with gas-guzzling automobiles. They also oppose drilling in the Alaskan wildlife refuge — an item that likely would be left out of the Senate's energy bill because it would attract a Democratic-led filibuster and could jeopardize passage of the legislation.

"Today our energy needs are growing faster than our domestic sources are able to provide," Bush said. "Demand for electricity has grown more than 176 percent in the past decade, while our transmission ability lags behind. And we continue to import more than one-half of our domestic oil supply."

The House energy bill is tilted heavily toward helping traditional energy industries — mainly coal, oil and natural gas — and offers little to encourage energy efficiency. Less than $500 million in tax incentives are directed at renewable energy and efficiency programs.

Bush said the legislation must encourage the use of technology to improve conservation and production at home in environmentally sensitive areas. Moreover, he believes the bill must diversify the nation's energy supply by developing alternative sources of energy like ethanol or biodiesel.

The House measure would boost production of corn-based ethanol, a boon to farmers, by requiring refiners to use at least 5 billion gallons a year as a gasoline additive.

In his broadcast, Bush said the nation must promote the use of safe, clean nuclear power and create more energy choices.

"Congress should provide tax credits for renewable power sources such as wind, solar and landfill gas," he said. "We must also continue our clean coal technology projects so that we can use the plentiful source of coal in an environmentally friendly way. The bill must also support pollution-free cars and trucks, powered by hydrogen fuel cells instead of gasoline."

Any future energy strategy must also help find more reliable ways to deliver energy to consumers, the president said.

"In some parts of the country, our transmission lines and pipelines are decades older than the homes and businesses they supply," he said. "Many of them are increasingly vulnerable to events that can interrupt and shut down power in entire regions of the country."

[NEBUCHADNEZZAR1961]

Not enough. He should use executive orders to open up the California coast to drilling and exploration. That region, unlike most of the nation, is virtually untapped.

Clinton always fought for his side. Let's see our guy go out on the limb for us.

[jveritas]

They also oppose drilling in the Alaskan wildlife refuge — an item that likely would be left out of the Senate's energy bill because it would attract a Democratic-led filibuster and could jeopardize passage of the legislation.

I thought the Senate already passed the ANWR oil drilling bill few weeks ago.

[NormsRevenge]

SUHPRIZE!!

The House and senate bills still needed to be reconciled..

This damn MTBE bit isn't gonna help anyone either at this point, especially since the crooks in Congre$$ blessed its use years ago, and now want to exempt the benefitters of that sorry deed from further financial liabilities. Tom Delay, and Texas get credit for that.

Political sausage making is a laboriously tedious and boring process.

Unfortunately, I wouldn't hold my breath on a coherent energy policy anytime soon.

[jveritas]

This damn MTBE bit isn't gonna help anyone either at this point

Agreed.

[gonzo]

"...Not enough. He should use executive orders to open up the California coast to drilling and exploration. That region, unlike most of the nation, is virtually untapped..."

You forgot the Gulf of Mexico, NEB. There's a vast pool of crude off the West coast of Florida just waiting to be tapped by off-shore drilling, but it is being prohibited by guess who - own own Governor, Jeb Bush, brother of the President.

As an aside, there has NEVER been a problem oil-spill involving a drilling platform or a removal facility since drilling and removal began in the 30's or 40's.

Since crude is now approaching $60.00 a barrel, and may yet go to $90.00 or more, it is clear to me that the Bush administration is in bed with the OPECKERS.

Living in Florida, I don't have to worry too much about heating oil, but there's gonna be a lot of people gettin' cold next winter if this bullshit keeps up!

Saudi oil comes out of the ground and into a tanker at around $6.00 to $7.00 a barrel. We're getting hosed by our own government, and they're telling us that it's a good idea!

As an engineer, I knew 40 years ago that Nuclear Power was the answer for our electrical needs, and, as an engineer, I am amazed that so many idiots were able to stifle an obvious solution. I guess it's the Jane-I-AM-A-TRAITOR-Fonda folks that pulled that one off.

Me - I'm gonna continue to fix the boat, and power out of here, and maybe head for the Turks and Caicos Islands. I'm sick of the Washingtoon-Bullshit. Take care, pal, and welcome to FR..............FRegards

[Cobra64]

Saudi oil comes out of the ground and into a tanker at around $6.00 to $7.00 a barrel.

Can you site the support of this statement? When crude was selling for 16/bbl, what was the Saudi oil price?

[NEBUCHADNEZZAR1961]

Me - I'm gonna continue to fix the boat, and power out of here, and maybe head for the Turks and Caicos Islands. I'm sick of the Washingtoon-Bullshit. Take care, pal, and welcome to FR..............FRegards

Good on you. I also will continue with my life and let the libs cry and whine over the high prices. I'll let them conserve while I enjoy my cars!

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Bush needs to focus on production, and stop talking about "conservation" and "renewable energy."

The law of supply-and-demand is conservation enough - and second renewable energy costs more to develop than regular energy.

Build more nuke plants, build more refineries....

[gonzo]

"...Saudi oil comes out of the ground and into a tanker at around $6.00 to $7.00 a barrel.

Can you site the support of this statement? When crude was selling for 16/bbl, what was the Saudi oil price?..."

As memory serves, it was about $3.50 to $4.00 per barrel then. Possibly, a Google search would turn-up accurate info. Most of the worlds' crude is under gas pressure and only needs capturing as we learned after Saddam Insane left Kuwaits oil fields ablaze after Gulf War I.

My interest in crude oil prices is based on my business which is Plastics Molding. The plastics industry only uses less than 1 % of each barrel of crude, but our costs, as is the case of all other products from crude, including fuels, rises and seldom lowers, based on the cost of crude at any given point in time.

I guess my point is that we're getting hosed as far as petroleum goes, and our politicos are going along with the program. Now, I just need enough gas to get to Key West, and they can all go-to-hell.............FRegards